City asks police to beef up patrols; park plans approved

Published: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 11:14 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 4, 2013 at 11:14 p.m.

Hendersonville City Council members will ask police to increase patrols during rush hours along Fifth and Third avenues instead of spending at least $19,000 to have an outside firm study traffic calming measures.

Council Thursday also asked the city to look into what it would cost to add permanent electronic speed monitoring signs along the busy thoroughfares.

Main Street improvements

City Engineer Brent Detwiler presented the city with plans to complete the 700 block of Main Street during ongoing phase 3 improvements to the downtown's streetscape at a cost of about $86,000.

At its March 7 meeting, City Council asked Detwiler to return with plans that would cut down on costs estimated at $125,000 for improvements, and use the money saved to repave the roadway once new lines are laid.

Detwiler told the council in March that patches will be needed on the road after new lines are installed. The patches would fall outside of the Main Street area to be resurfaced after the streetscape is improved.

Council members expressed interest in having the road repaved to match the smooth surface of Main Street once the streetscape improvements are complete.

Some of the proposed revisions at the March meeting included trying to reuse the sidewalk on the west side of Main, reducing the new sidewalk on the east side and removing a crosswalk near the “triangle.”

Detwiler presented two options, both estimated at close to $86,000, that stripped the added sidewalk and crosswalk features out of the equation. Option A included six parallel spaces along Seventh Avenue. Option B included 13 pull-in spaces.

The council chose to accept the option with 13 spaces.

Berkeley Mills Park

Council members unanimously approved master plans for Berkeley Mills Park Thursday evening and agreed to engage counsel for bonds to cover the nearly $5.5 million project with a referendum, which could be held in November.

Mayor Barbara Volk said they will “definitely” pursue any future grants for the project.

City Finance Director Jim Rudisill said that if the referendum passes, the city will have seven years to issue a bond. He added that he would return to council with answers to questions regarding grant funding affecting the amount of bonds, whether the city would be able to use any extra funds from the bond to repay it and when they would have to tell the bond counsel how much of a bond they would need.

Rudisill said it would cost the city about $12,500 to apply for floating a bond.

City Council also:

-Awarded a contract of $86,574 to Arden artist Berry Bate of Sculpture by Berry Bate for work to be completed on the fountain she created for the corner of Sixth Avenue and Main Street.

-Amended a city ordinance to permit the possession of alcohol at special events, upon council approval, in places such as public streets, alleys or parking lots that are closed for the event. The amendment will allow a beer garden at this summer's upcoming concert series Rhythm and Brews.

-Approved special event permits for “The Golden Age in Henderson County–The Coming of the Railroad” and a talk and book signing for “Porch Dogs.”

-Approved suggested amendments to the city's laws regarding the issuance of states of emergency to reflect the current state of powers outlined by the N.C. General Assembly.

-Adopted an ordinance amending the city's zoning codes for Secondary Business Conditional Uses to include automotive paint and body work.

<p>Hendersonville City Council members will ask police to increase patrols during rush hours along Fifth and Third avenues instead of spending at least $19,000 to have an outside firm study traffic calming measures. </p><p>Council Thursday also asked the city to look into what it would cost to add permanent electronic speed monitoring signs along the busy thoroughfares.</p><p><b>Main Street improvements</b></p><p>City Engineer Brent Detwiler presented the city with plans to complete the 700 block of Main Street during ongoing phase 3 improvements to the downtown's streetscape at a cost of about $86,000. </p><p>At its March 7 meeting, City Council asked Detwiler to return with plans that would cut down on costs estimated at $125,000 for improvements, and use the money saved to repave the roadway once new lines are laid.</p><p>Detwiler told the council in March that patches will be needed on the road after new lines are installed. The patches would fall outside of the Main Street area to be resurfaced after the streetscape is improved. </p><p>Council members expressed interest in having the road repaved to match the smooth surface of Main Street once the streetscape improvements are complete.</p><p>Some of the proposed revisions at the March meeting included trying to reuse the sidewalk on the west side of Main, reducing the new sidewalk on the east side and removing a crosswalk near the “triangle.” </p><p>Detwiler presented two options, both estimated at close to $86,000, that stripped the added sidewalk and crosswalk features out of the equation. Option A included six parallel spaces along Seventh Avenue. Option B included 13 pull-in spaces. </p><p>The council chose to accept the option with 13 spaces.</p><p><b>Berkeley Mills Park</b></p><p>Council members unanimously approved master plans for Berkeley Mills Park Thursday evening and agreed to engage counsel for bonds to cover the nearly $5.5 million project with a referendum, which could be held in November. </p><p>Mayor Barbara Volk said they will “definitely” pursue any future grants for the project.</p><p>City Finance Director Jim Rudisill said that if the referendum passes, the city will have seven years to issue a bond. He added that he would return to council with answers to questions regarding grant funding affecting the amount of bonds, whether the city would be able to use any extra funds from the bond to repay it and when they would have to tell the bond counsel how much of a bond they would need.</p><p>Rudisill said it would cost the city about $12,500 to apply for floating a bond.</p><p>City Council also:</p><p>-Awarded a contract of $86,574 to Arden artist Berry Bate of Sculpture by Berry Bate for work to be completed on the fountain she created for the corner of Sixth Avenue and Main Street.</p><p>-Amended a city ordinance to permit the possession of alcohol at special events, upon council approval, in places such as public streets, alleys or parking lots that are closed for the event. The amendment will allow a beer garden at this summer's upcoming concert series Rhythm and Brews.</p><p>-Approved special event permits for “The Golden Age in Henderson County–The Coming of the Railroad” and a talk and book signing for “Porch Dogs.”</p><p>-Approved suggested amendments to the city's laws regarding the issuance of states of emergency to reflect the current state of powers outlined by the N.C. General Assembly.</p><p>-Adopted an ordinance amending the city's zoning codes for Secondary Business Conditional Uses to include automotive paint and body work.</p>